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Audrey DeLange At The "Temple Of The Masks", West Side, Looking East. Kohunlich Archaeological Ruins.

"Kinich Ahau Mask" On Bottom Right Hand Side Of The "Temple Of The Masks".

Kohunlich (X-làabch'e'en in Modern Maya), or Ancient Mayan pronounced [KOE•HOON•LEECH]. Southern Quintana Roo, a Mayan ruin. Kohunlich is a corruption of the name "Cohune Ridge". Cohune is a species of fruiting palm common to the area. Cohune is a Miskito word which shows that there was a connection to the Central American people to the south. Kohunlich used to be known as Clarksville when the British had control over this area.

Kohunlich is best known for its Temple of the Masks, an Early Classic pyramid whose central stairway is flanked by large stucco masks. The temple was built around 500 A.D.. After about 700 A.D., the temple was covered over with a Terminal Classic construction,
which protected the masks and accounts for their excellent preservation today. The giant masks represent the Sun God "Kinich Ahau" however they differ in appearance so it is thought that they also represent the various rulers of Kohunlich.

In 1969 when looters discovered the site, the removed some of the outer covering of Structure I, and were in the process of removing the masks. Ignacio Ek, of the nearby village of Francisco Villa, came across this crime and reported it to the authorities, who then took steps to protect the masks and the site.
The governor of Quintana Roo then made Ignacio Ek the custodian of the site which was known locally by the name of Kohunlich.

The city apparently rose to prominence in the Early Classic when there were important ties to the cultures of northern Belize; this has been deduced from the style of the god masks. There was a brief interlude before development picks up again in the Late Classic when we see significant architectural similarities with the Río Bec region. We may assume that there were also important trade and cultural links between the two, because the final demise of Kohunlich occurred more or less in synchronisation with the larger empire.

The Chetumal International Airport (IATA: CTM, ICAO: MMCM) is an international airport located in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. It handles national and international air traffic for the city of Chetumal. It's operated by Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares, a federal government-owned corporation.

We wish to mention the "Costa Maya", a newely developed small tourist region in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco, in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. This municipality is south of Cancún on the border with Belize. The area is generally undeveloped but has been growing rapidly after the construction of a large pier to accommodate cruise ships that are coming to the area.
The Costa Maya includes two small villages - Mahahual and Xcalak and extends physically from Xcalak in the south to the southern border of the Sian Ka'an in the north, a distance of approximately 100 km.

Costa Maya's port also has a new and modern tourist shopping mall. The center has a central plaza with saltwater pools and "swim-up" style bars. There are several jewelery stores and many small shops selling ubiquitous souvenir items. It is generally open only to cruise ship passengers.

Costa Maya is the closest port to many of the lesser known Mayan ruins in the Yucatan including Chacchoben and Kohunlich. Several of the cruise lines are offering tours into these ruins. These sites are less excavated than the better known pyramids near Cancún.

We have links on this page that will connect you with several of the best hotels in Chetumal.

We suggest getting a hotel and then letting them arrange either a car or a tour of Chetumal and/or the Quintana Roo Region. If you call their Concierge Services ahead of your arrival, all of this can be pre-arranged for you.

We make arrangements this way all the time, when traveling in Mexico. It is safe and it works!!! We have never experienced a problem, doing it this way!

We also have personally, booked flights, hotels, and vacations, through Priceline.com and we can highly recommend them. Their website is very easy to use!

We have some links to Priceline.com on this page, since they can arrange all of your air flights, hotels and car.

We of course, appreciate your use of the advertising on our pages, since it helps us to keep our pages active.

Kohunlich Entrance Site Map.

Audrey DeLange At"Temple Of The Masks."West Side, Looking East.

Audrey DeLange At "Temple Of The Masks."West Side, Looking East.

Bottom Right,"Kinich Ahau Mask."

Middle Right,"Kinich Ahau Mask."

Top Right,"Kinich Ahau Mask."

Bottom Left,"Kinich Ahau Mask."

Middle Left,"Kinich Ahau Mask."

Top Left,Space Of Stolen Mask.

George DeLangeAt Top Of Stairs OfThe "Temple Of The Masks."

The Ball Court, 42 m. Long.

Temple Of TheTwin Columns.

Temple Of TheTwin Columns.

Merwin PlazaFrom Ball CourtLooking West.

Merwin PlazaLooking NorthToward"Temple Of The Stele."

"Plaza Of The Stele."And"Temple Of The Stele."

Called "Temple Of The Stele."Because Of The Stele In Front.

"Plaza Of The Stele."And "Temple Of The King."

Complex OfThe Twenty-Seven Steps.

"The Stands."

"The Stands."

We Are Proud Of Our SafeSurf Rating!

Click On Any Of The Following Links By Amazon.ComFor Books Or Videos About Touring In Mexico. No Obligation!